UJ
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Michael Graugnard expressed that he voted for President Donald Trump in the 2024 election, believing Trump was the most qualified candidate to enhance the economy.
However, only three months into his new job as an attorney advisor at the US Department of Agriculture, Graugnard was laid off along with many other federal workers. He noted that the dismissal took him off guard, as his superiors had reassured him of job security.
“I was heartbroken,” Graugnard shared with UJ, highlighting that this position was his dream job and he had recently relocated to Little Rock, Arkansas, with his pregnant wife and young child. “I envisioned spending my entire career in that role.”
Graugnard joins numerous federal employees who found themselves unemployed just a few months after supporting Trump at the polls. Former federal employees revealed to UJ that they supported Trump’s policies, believing they aligned with their principles and would lead to better lives, yet they are now struggling to secure new employment.
The widespread layoffs are aligned with initiatives by Trump and Elon Musk aimed at reducing federal spending and downsizing the workforce. In recent weeks, the administration has dismissed thousands of probationary federal employees, terminated high-ranking officials and oversight personnel, and persuaded 77,000 workers to voluntarily resign through deferred resignation offers.
Graugnard commented that while he supports efforts for governmental efficiency, he “didn’t support such measures being implemented in the manner they have been.”
“I voted with optimism, believing the process would be managed with a technocratic and more rational approach, but that hasn’t been the case,” Graugnard expressed.
Nevertheless, Graugnard maintains he does not regret his vote for Trump.
“I still endorse all the administration’s goals, and I believe I can respectfully disagree with the execution of these policies,” he remarked.
Fired veteran who voted for Trump three times talks to UJ
James Diaz, a veteran recently dismissed from his position at the IRS, conveyed to UJ’s Laura Coates that while he stands by his vote for Trump, he disagrees with how the administration is managing the layoffs.
His performance reviews indicated that he was meeting or surpassing expectations, Diaz noted.
“I don’t think they are doing a good job of identifying what truly needs to be eliminated,” Diaz stated. “They seem to be using a blunt approach rather than applying critical analysis to determine what is effective and what is not.”
Nonetheless, some dismissed federal workers express regret over their vote for Trump.
A former employee from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, who requested anonymity, mentioned she was laid off just three weeks into her employment.
She had hoped Trump would enhance the economy by generating more job opportunities and lowering inflation, and did not anticipate his administration targeting probationary employees.
“Had I known this outcome, I would never have cast my vote for him,” she remarked.
“This is going to severely impact the presidency,” she cautioned. “This isn’t how our democracy should function, and I cannot comprehend why (Trump) believes this is acceptable.”
